Ski boot with interchangeable back

ABSTRACT

A ski boot having a rear closure, said boot being adapted to use either a normal height rear tongue member or a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;high-rise&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; tongue member. The rear tongue member is held in the closed position by a securing clamp means made up of a cable and a buckle, which permits the boot to be easily opened. In the closed position, the rear tongue member preferably causes a forward lean of the skier&#39;&#39;s leg, but by unbuckling the cable, the skier&#39;&#39;s leg is permitted to flex upright. The position of the tongue member closure can be varied widely by using cables of various lengths in the securing means.

United States Patent [1 1 Hanson et al.

[451 Apr. 16, 1974 SKI BOOT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BACK [73] Assignee:Hanson Industrles,lnc., Boulder,

[22] Filed: Mar. 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 231,967

" FfiRfiGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 7 l, 5 5 2 6/69 switirindu f 136/25 AL 1,198,709 2/66 Germany ..36/2.5 AL

Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merriam,Marshall, Shapiro & Klose [5 7] ABSTRACT A ski boot having a rearclosure, said boot being adapted to use either a normal height reartongue member or a high-rise tongue member. The rear tongue member isheld in the closed position by a securing clamp means made up of a cableand a buckle, which permits the boot to be easily opened. In the closedposition, the rear tongue member preferably causes a forward lean of theskiers leg, but by unbuckling the cable, the skiers leg is permitted toflex upright. The position of the tongue member closure can be variedwidely by using cables of various lengths in the securing means.

27 (Elsi h1g9 Drawing Figures F'ATENTEDAPR 16 I974.

SHEET 2 [1F 2 SKI BOOT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BACK BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to footwear in general, and moreparticularly to what is known as a rear entry ski boot which securelyholds the foot of the skier against the ski and supports the skiersankle and calf against lateral movement and rearward lean, respectively,in order to provide maximum ski edge control. The present invention alsoprovides a rear entry ski boot which has interchangable rear tongues,whereby a skier can change the height of the tongue from a conventionalheight to a high-rise form of tongue. Further the ski boot of thepresent invention provides for a built-in forward lean which can bereleased by the skier by unbuckling the rear opening tongue.

The ability of a snow skier to control his skis is directly related tothe effectiveness with which his feet, ankles, and lower legs areconnected to the skis proper. Under optimum conditions, the skiers feetshould be secured to the skis in such a manner that the skis act, ineffect, as extensions of the skiers feet. It is important that the skisnot be able to move laterally with respect to the lower leg of theskier. While it is necessary for the skier to be able to shift hisweight forwardly and rearwardly on the ski during turning, it is notnecessary for the skier to be able to flex his ankle in this direction.It has been found, that a certain amount of forward lean is desirable.That is, it is desired that the skiers lower leg be tilted forward froma line drawn perpendicular to the ski or to the sole of the boot and aforward lean of 20 or 30 has been found to be desirable under somecircumstances. In carrying out certain skiing maneuvers, it is desirableto support the rear of the lower leg in the forward lean position by anextended or a high-rise boot back. While such high-rise boots, withaccentuated forward lean, are highly desirable for skiing, they areuncomfortable for standing in lift lines or riding on lifts because theknees of the skier must remain in the flexed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a new approachto ski boots, and particularly high back or high-rise ski boots, andparticularly to high-rise boots wherein the boot has a certain amount ofbuilt-in forward lean. The present invention provides a ski boot whichmay be converted from a normal back boot to a high-rise boot, either bythe retailer prior to sale, or by the skier after purchase of the boot.In addition to providing the convertibility, the ski boot of the presentinvention provides an easy opening securing means which permits theskier, while standing in a lift line, or on a chair lift to release theforward lean, thus permitting him to relax his leg muscles.Additionally, this arrangement permits the skier to insert or remove hisfoot from the boot quickly and easily, and secure the boot into theskiing position by the operation of only one or two buckles.

The advantages of the present invention are accomplished by constructinga rear entry boot having a rear closure which affords entry of a skiersfoot into the boot from the rear. The boot has a closed-front vamp,wherein the opening in the rear of the vamp is closed with a rear tonguemember. Preferably, the tongue member provides a substantial angle offorward lean built in thereto, which forward lean can be reduced oreliminated by changing the settings of the tonguesecuring means or byopening the tongue-securing means. In this manner, the skier can releasethe forward Ieanfor convenience simply by unbuckling the back of theboot. Further advantage is obtained in that the skier can readily changefrom a high back to a conventional back height by simply interchangingthe tongue.

The invention will be further described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a right boot, taken in partialsection near the heel, illustrating the boot in the closed position andthe attachment of the highrise tongue member to the floor of the vamp;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view ofa tongue member,

of conventional height, showing the lowermost extension which is adaptedto engage the floor of the vamp;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view'of a right boot taken from the oblique rearillustrating a high-rise tongue member in the boot, in the closedposition;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a high-rise tongue;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the high-rise tongue illustratedin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows the cable engaging clamp in the cable release position;

FIG. 7 shows the cable engaging clamp in the cable engaging position,with the cable in place;

FIG. 8 shows the boot of FIG. 1 in the open position;

and

FIG. 9 shows a fragmentary top view of the ski boot of the presentinvention in a closed position.

In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated by FIG. 1, the rear entryski boot ofthe present invention is shown generally at 10. The boot 10includes stiff sole 12 having front portion 14 and rear portion 16adapted to engage ski bindings. Vamp 20, which preferably is aclosed-front vamp, is attached to and integral with sole 12. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 3, the front portion of vamp 20 is closed while the back isopen, the back or rear opening 22 is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. Therear opening 22 is generally defined by the rear edges 21 of vamp 20 andthe floor of the vamp 26. Preferably vamp 20 is made from semi-rigid orrigid plastic material which provides firm lateral support for theskiers ankles and lower leg.

Within vamp 20 is inner liner 24 which preferably provides both fittingand padding functions for the skiers foot. Inner liner 24 may be a foamcavity filled with a thermoplastic material, such as is described inapplicants copending application entitled Ski Boot and Liner Therefor,Ser. No. 216,080, filed Jan. 7, 1972. Alternatively, liner 24 maycomprise foam rubber, either foamed in place or factory installed, or itmay comprise a flowable material in an envelope, such as is described inUS. Pat. Nos. 3,237,319; 3,402,411; or 3,582,503. In the preferredembodiment, inner liner 24 extends all the way to the floor of the vamp26 and covers substantially all of the foot with the exception of therear opening 22.

Rear opening 22 is adapted to receive tongue member 30. The tonguemember adapted to be fitted into rear opening 22 can be of the typeshown in FIG. 2 or the high-rise type shown in FIG. 4. The tonguemembers of FIGS. 2 and 4 are of similar configuration and generallypossess corresponding portions, and differ mainly in the height of theupper portion 34 and 34 with respect to the height of the boot. Tonguemember 30 comprises a semi-rigid outer member 31 which extends from topportion 34 to the lowermost extension 32. Mounted within said semi-rigidmember 31 is tongue padding member 36, which may be a foam material orany of the materials from which the inner liner 24 are constructed.Preferably padding member 36 runs the substantiallength of tongue 30,except for the lowermost extension 32. The padding should be sufficientin length to cover the entire back of the skiers foot, from the floor ofthe vamp 26 to the top of the tongue 34. Preferably the tongue 30 isreinforced by vertical rib 38 in order to provide stiffness to thetongue and support for the back of the skiers leg. Preferably verticalrib 38 is provided with two pairs of cable-engaging grooves 40, on itsrearmost projection. Thecable from the securing means is engaged andstabilized by the grooves 40.

Lowermost extension 32 of tongue 30 is adapted to engage'vamp 20 at therear opening 22, and to be mounted contiguous to the floor 26 of vamp 20near the lowermost portion of rear opening 22. In the preferredembodiment, vamp 20 includes in the vamp floor 26 a slot 27 which runsfrom the rear of vamp 20 forward and culminates in notch or recess 28.The width of slot 27 is not critical, but a suitable width is shown inFIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment,,the lowermost extension 32 isprovided with a lug 42 which may extend across the width of extension32. The lowermost extension 32 is adapted to be inserted in slot 27whereby lug 42 will engage in recess 28 and firmly, but removably, aftxtongue member 30 to the boot. When lug 42 is engaged in recess 28 it isdesired that the upper portion of extension 32 be contiguous with thefloor 26 ofvamp 20. In order to maintain extension 32 in an attitudecontiguous with floor 26, the edges of extension 32 may have a bevelledsurface 46, as is shown in FIG. 5, whereby the extension 32 is urgeddownwardly. Alternatively, the edges of extension 32 may have alaterally projecting flange 48 adapted to engage channels (not shown) inthe floor of vamp 26 whereby the extension is held at a suitableelevation.

Tongue member 30 is provided with a relatively thin, flexible section 50between the padding member 36 and the lowermost extension 32. Tongue 30must be constructed of semi-rigid material, which is somewhat flexiblein thin sections. In this manner, the flexible section 50 permits tonguemember 30 to be pivoted with respect to lowermost extension 32 and withrespect to the vamp 20 and boot through the bending of flexible section.50. The flexible section 50 accomplishes a pivotal mounting and apivotal opening-closing movement for tongue member 30. The tongue memberin the closed position is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and -3. When in theclosed position, the tongue preferably fits within the rear portions 21of vamp 20, thereby filling said rear opening 22.

Tongue member 30 is adapted to be secured in the closed position bysecuring means which preferably includes a clamp 60, an endless cable62, and a buckle 64. While it is essential to use at least one suchsecuring means, it is preferred to use two, as is illustrated, al-

said cable 62, and a cam-like closing action, wherein the buckle 64draws said cable 62, under tension, into the closed position. The cable62 is preferably a steel cable made up of tine wires covered withplastic, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that itcould be a solid wire, and could be fabricated from various metals,plastic, rubber, natural fibers or the like.

The preferred clamp arrangement is shown more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7.Preferably clamp is attached to the rear portion of vamp 21 by a singlerivet 61 or other similar connecting devices, whereby clamp 60 ispivotable or rotatable about rivet 61. Preferably the clamp is providedwith at least one cable-engaging groove 63, which groove is adapted tohold cable 62 between the clamp 60 and the rear portion of vamp 20 whenthe clamp 60 is in the cable engaging position, as shown in FIG. 7. Whenthe clamp 60 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 6, the cable 62may be removed from groove 63. In this manner cables of various lengthmay be used, or in case of damage or wear to the cable, it may bereplaced with a new endless or annular cable.

Preferably, both clamp 60 and the buckle 64 are mounted to the boot on araised portion of the boot or vamp material. In this way, a thicksection of the vamp may be provided through which rivet 61 can beaffixed, thus provide a stronger union between the boot and the securingmeans. Further, it is contemplated that the inside surface to whichrivet 61 is joined may be countersunk, in order to provide a smoothinner surface throughout the inside of vamp 20.

The ski boots of the present invention may be made from many differentmaterials, although semi-rigid plastics are to be preferred for theformation of the vamp and rigid portion of the rear tongue. Since it isessential that the rear tongue have a certain amount of flexibility atsection 50, it is considered important that the materials possess atleast some elastomeric properties, whereby they can be flexed withoutcrystallization or cracking. The padding for both the inner liner 24 andthe rear tongue padding member 36 may be made out of the same ordissimilar material. As was mentioned above, it is possible to provideboth the inner liner and the tongue with padding which is installed atthe factory, padding which is custom fitted, or padding which isflowable and will deform to fit the contours of the wearers feet.

In the preferred embodiment, the vamp and tongue member are designed sothat, as shown in FIG. 9, their padding members, that is inner boot 24and padding member 36, abut each other when the tongue is secured in aclosed position. In this manner, a smooth inner surface, with completepadding is provided for the skiers foot. The tongues illustrated in thedrawings are adapted to pivot about a point in proximity with the floorof the vamp, at the lowermost portion of the rear opening. While thepreferred mode contemplates the pivoting to take place by bending theflexible section 50 of the tongue, it will be obvious to those skilledin the art that other forms of a pivot may be used. For instance, thepresent invention contemplates the use of a screw running across theboot at about the point the tongue is to be pivoted. In this way thetongues can be changed simply by removing the screw and reinserting it.The screw then functions as the pivot pin in a hinge.

It is preferred that vamp provided with rear flaps which encompass asubstantial portion of tongue member when the tongue is in the closedposition. The flaps are flexible enough to permit member 30 to bepivoted outwardly beyond the flaps as shown in FIG. 8 where the boot isshown in an open position. In this fashion, as the skier moves throughthe snow, there is no tendency of snow to pack in the joint between thetongue and flaps 21. However, it is possible to have the tongue overlapthe sides of the vamp. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thenecessary type of seal between the tongue and the vamp.

The forms of the invention herein shown and described are to beconsidered only as illustrative. It will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that numerous modifications may be made therein withoutdeparture from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. A ski boot having a rear closure which comprises a sole; aclosed-front, semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole, said vamp having arear opening;

a semi-rigid tongue member pivotally attached to said vamp near thelower-most portion of said rear opening, said tongue member adapted tofill and close said rear opening;

said tongue member having two sides adapted to cooperate with and bedisposed substantially within said vamp when said tongue is in theclosed position; and

securing means adapted to secure said tongue member in the closedposition, whereby the angle formed between said tongue member and saidsole member is less than about 90.

2. A ski boot as described in claim 1, wherein said tongue is readilyremovable from said vamp.

3. A ski boot as described in claim 1, wherein said securing meanscomprises a cable, a clamp and a buckle.

4. A ski boot as described in claim 3, wherein said clamp is secured tosaid boot by a single, non-centered fastening means, said clamp beingrotatable about said fastening means between a cable-engaging positionand a cable-release position, whereby a cable engaging channel is formedbetween said boot and said clamp, when said clamp is rotated to thecable-engaging position and said cable engaging channel is opened whensaid clamp is rotated to said cable release position, said buckleadapted to releasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into thelocked and closed position.

5. A ski boot as described in claim 1, wherein said tongue includes alowermost extension adapted to be inserted in a slot in the floor of thevamp.

6. A ski boot as described in claim 5, wherein said extension includes alug adapted to engage a notch within the slot in the floor of the vamp.

7. A ski boot as described in claim 5, wherein said extension includes aflexible portion, about which the tongue may be pivoted about saidflexible portion.

8. A ski boot as described in claim 1, wherein said tongue includes aflexible portion adjacent to its point of attachment to said vamp,whereby said boot is opened by pivoting said tongue about said flexibleportion. 1

9. A ski boot which comprises a sole; a closed-front, semi-rigid vampattached to said sole, said vamp having a rear opening through which afoot may be inserted;

V a semi-rigid tongue member removably and pivotally attached to saidvamp, and adapted to fill the rear opening of said' vamp, said pivotbeing near the lower-most portion of said rear opening;

said tongue member having two sides adapted to cooperate with and bedisposed substantially within said vamp when said tongue is in theclosed position; and

securing means adapted to secure said tongue member in the closedposition, said securing means comprises an annular cable, a clamp and abuckle.

10. A ski boot as described in claim 9, wherein said I clamp is securedto said boot by a single non-centered fastening means, said clamp beingrotatable about said fastening means between a cable-engaging positionand a cable-release position, whereby a cable engaging channel is formedbetween said boot and said clamp, when said clamp is rotated to thecable-engaging position and said cable-engaging channel is opened whensaid clamp is rotated to said cable release position, said buckleadapted to releasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into thelocked and closed position.

' TITA ski boot which comprises a sole; a closedfront; semi-rigid vampattached to said sole, said vamp having a rear opening through which afoot may be inserted;

a semi-rigid tongue member removably and pivotally attached to saidvamp, and adapted to fill the rear opening of said vamp, said pivotbeing near the lowermost portion of said rear opening;

said tongue having a lowermost extension adapted to be inserted in aslot in the floor of the vamp;

said tongue member having two sides adapted to cooperate with and bedisposed substantially within said vamp when said tongue is in-theclosed position; and

securing means adapted to secure said tongue member in the closedposition.

12. A ski boot as described in claim 11, wherein said extension includesa lug adapted to engage a notch within the slot in the floor of thevamp.

13. A ski boot as described in claim T1, wherein said extension includesa flexible portion, about which the tongue may be pivoted about saidflexible portion.

TI TTski bodt as described in claim 9, wherein said tongue includes aflexible portion adjacent to its point of attachment to said vamp,whereby said boot is opened by pivoting said tongue about said flexibleportion.

T. A rear entry ski boot which comprises a sole; a closed-front,semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole, said vamp having a rear opening;

a semi-rigid tongue member pivotally attached to said vamp, and adaptedto fill the rear opening of said vamp, said pivot being near thelower-most portion of said rear opening",

said tongue member having two sides adapted to cooperate with and bedisposed substantially within said vamp when said tongue is in theclosed position; and

securing means adapted to secure said tongue in the closed ptFtion, saidsecurin means comprises an annular cable, a clamp and a buckle.

16. A rear entry ski boot as described in claim 15,

wherein said clamp is secured to said boot by a single,

non-centered fastening means, said clamp being rotat able about saidfastening means between a cable- 'engaging position and a cable-releaseposition, whereby a cable engaging channel is formed between said bootand said clamp,'when said clamp is rotated to the cable-engagingposition and said cable engaging channel is opened when said clamp isrotated to said cable release position, said buckle adapted toreleasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into the locked andclosed position.

17. A rear entry ski boot which comprises a sole; a semi-rigid vampattached to said sole, said vamp having a rear opening extendingcontiguous to the floor of said vamp;

a semi-rigid tongue member pivotally attached to said vamp, and adaptedto fill the rear opening of said vamp, said pivot being contiguous tothe lower-most portion of said rear opening;

said tongue member having two sides adapted to cooperate with and bedisposed substantially within said vamp when said tongue is in theclosed position; and

securing means adapted to secure said tongue member in the closedposition.

wherein said securing means comprises an annular cable, a clamp and abuckle.

1 g. A r ea r entry ski boot as described in claim 18, wherein saidclamp is secured to said boot by a single, non-centered fastening means,said clamp being rotatable about said fastening means between acableengaging position and a cable-release position, whereby a cableengaging channel is formed between said boot and said clamp, when saidclamp is rotated to the cable-engaging position and said cable engagingchannel is opened when said clamp is rotated to said cable-releaseposition, said buckle adapted to releasably engage said cable, and todraw said boot into the locked and closed position.

20. A ski boot adapted to receive an interchangeable rear tongue member,which tongue member further serves as a closure for the boot, said bootf compr1sing:

a sole;

a vamp attached to said sole and including a rear opening extendingcontiguous to the floor of said vamp, said vamp having two side flapsdefining said rear opening;

a tongue member adapted to fill said rear opening, said tongue memberhaving two sides adapted to cooperate with and be disposed substantiallywithin said vamp when said tongue member is in a closed position;

said boot further having means for pivoting said tongue member relativeto said boot, said pivoting means being disposed contiguous to the lowerend of said tongue member; and,

said boot having securing means for releaseably se-' curing said tonguemember in a closed position in said boot whereby said sides of saidtongue member are disposed within said side flaps and cooperate withsaid vamp to enclose said boot about the foot of a wearer.

21. A ski boot as described in claim 22, wherein said securing meanscomprises an annular cable, a clamp and a buckle.

22. A ski boot as described in claim 21, wherein said clamp is securedto said boot by a single, noncentered fastening means, said clamp beingrotatable about said fastening means between a cable-engaging positionand a cable-release position, whereby a cable engaging channel is formedbetween said boot and said clamp, when said clamp is rotated to thecableengaging position and said cable engaging channel is opened whensaid clamp is rotated to said cablerelease position, said buckle adaptedto releasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into the lockedand closed position.

23. A ski boot adapted to receive a removable tongue membensaid bpptcomprising:

stale;

a vamp attached to said sole and including a rear opening extendingcontiguous to the floor of said vamp;

a tongue member having a boot engaging extension member located at thelowermost portion of said tongue member;

said boot including a receiving means located contiguous to thelowermost portion of said rear opening and adapted to receive saidextension member of said tongue whereby said tongue member isreleaseably secured to said boo t 7 26. A ski boot in accordance withclaim 25 wherein said securing means includes an annular cable, a clampd? h sk s- 27. A rear entry ski boot as describedin claimgd,

wherein said clamp is secured to said boot by a single, non-centeredfastening means, said clamp being rotatable about said fastening meansbetween a cableengaging position and a cable-release position, whereby acable engaging channel is formed between said boot and said clamp, whensaid clamp is rotated to.

the cable-engaging position and said cable engaging channel is openedwhen said clamp is rotated to said cable-release position, said buckleadapted to releasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into thelocked and closed position.

24. A ski boot in accordance with claim gg wherein sa d receiving meansis a slot means.

Po-ww UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE CERTIFICATE 'OF CORRECTION Patent 50.3:8Q3 73Q Dated April 16, 1 974 lnventorts) ALDEN B. HANSON and CHRIS A.HANSON It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

1 Column, 8, line 6 (claim 21 "22" should be .-20--.

fignccl and sealed this 3rd day of September 1974 Attest: I a v 4'McCOY 1. GIBSON, JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attestlng Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A ski boot having a rear closure which comprises a sole; aclosed-front, semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole, said vamp having arear opening; a semi-rigid tongue member pivotally attached to said vampnear the lower-most portion of said rear opening, said tongue memberadapted to fill and close said rear opening; said tongue member havingtwo sides adapted to cooperate with and be disposed substantially withinsaid vamp when said tongue is in the closed position; and securing meansadapted to secure said tongue member in the closed position, whereby theangle formed between said tongue member and said sole member is lessthan about 90*.
 2. A ski boot as described in claim 1, wherein saidtongue is readily removable from said vamp.
 3. A ski boot as describedin claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a cable, a clamp and abuckle.
 4. A ski boot as described in claim 3, wherein said clamp issecured to said boot by a single, non-centered fastening means, saidclamp being rotatable about said fastening means between acable-engaging position and a cable-release position, whereby a cableengaging channel is formed between said boot and said clamp, when saidclamp is rotated to the cable-engaging position and said cable engagingchannel is opened when said clamp is rotated to said cable releaseposition, said buckle adapted to releasably engage said cable, and todraw said boot into the locked and closed position.
 5. A ski boot asdescribed in claim 1, wherein said tongue includes a lowermost extensionadapted to be inserted in a slot in the floor of the vamp.
 6. A ski bootas described in claim 5, wherein said extension includes a lug adaptedto engage a notch within the slot in the floor of the vamp.
 7. A skiboot as described in claim 5, wherein said extension includes a flexibleportion, about which the tongue may be pivoted about said flexibleportion.
 8. A ski boot as described in claim 1, wherein said tongueincludes a flexible portion adjacent to its point of attachment to saidvamp, whereby said boot is opened by pivoting said tongue about saidflexible portion.
 9. A ski boot which comprises a sole; a closed-front,semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole, said vamp having a rear openingthrough which a foot may be inserted; a semi-rigid tongue memberremovably and pivotally attached to said vamp, and adapted to fill therear opening of said vamp, said pivot being near the lower-most portionof said rear opening; said tongue member having two sides adapted tocooperate with and be disposed substantially within said vamp when saidtongue is in the closed position; and securing means adapted to securesaid tongue member in the closed position, said securing means comprisesan annular cable, a clamp and a buckle.
 10. A ski boot as described inclaim 9, wherein said clamp is secured to said boot by a single,non-centered fastening means, said clamp being rotatable about saidfastening means between a cable-engaging position and a cable-releaseposition, whereby a cable engaging channel is formed between said bootand said clamp, when said clamp is rotated to the cable-engagingposition and said cable-engaging channel is opened when said clamp isrotated to said cable release position, said buckle adapted toreleasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into the locked andclosed position.
 11. A ski boot which comprises a sole; a colsed-front;semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole, said vamp having a rear openingthrough which a foot may be inserted; a semi-rigid tongue memberremovably and pivotally attached to said vamp, and adapted to fill therear opening of said vamp, said pivot being near the lowermost portionof said rear opening; said tongue having a lowermost extension adaptedto be inserted in a slot in the floor of the vamp; said tongue memberhaving two sides adapted to cooperate with and be disposed substantiallywithin said vamp when said tongue is in the closed postion; and securingmeans adapted to secure said tongue member in the closed position.
 12. Aski boot as described in claim 11, wherein said extension includes a lugadapted to engage a notch within the slot in the floor of the vamp. 13.A ski boot as described in claim 11, wherein said extension includes aflexible portion, about which the tongue may be pivoted about saidflexible portion.
 14. A ski boot as described in claim 9, wherein saidtongue includes a flexible portion adjacent to its point of attachmentto said vamp, whereby said boot is opened by pivoting said tongue aboutsaid flexible portion.
 15. A rear entry ski boot which comprises a sole;a closed-front, semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole, said vamp havinga rear opening; a semi-rigid tongue member pivotally attached to saidvamp, and adapted to fill the rear opening of said vamp, said pivotbeing near the lower-most portion of said rear opening; said tonguemember having two sides adapted to cooperate with and be disposedsubstantially within said vamp when said tongue is in the closedposition; and securing means adapted to secure said tongue in the closedposition, said securing means comprises an annular cable, a clamp and abuckle.
 16. A rear entry ski boot as described in claim 15, wherein saidclamp is secured to said boot by a single, non-centered fastening means,said clamp being rotatable about said fastening means between acable-engaging position and a cable-release position, whereby a cableengaging channel is formed between said boot and said clamp, when saidclamp is rotated to the cable-engaging position and said cable engagingchannel is opened when said clamp is rotated to said cable releaseposition, said buckle adapted to releasably engage said cable, and todraw said boot into the locked and closed position.
 17. A rear entry skiboot which comprises a sole; a semi-rigid vamp attached to said sole,said vamp having a rear opening extending contiguous to the floor ofsaid vamp; a semi-rigid tongue member pivotally attached to said vamp,and adapted to fill the rear opening of said vamp, said pivot beingcontiguous to the lower-most portion of said rear opening; said tonguemember having two sides adapted to cooperate with and be disposedsubstantially within said vamp when said tongue is in the closedposition; and securing means adapted to secure said tongue member in theclosed position.
 18. A rear entry ski boot as described in claim 17,wherein said securing means comprises an annular cable, a clamp and abuckle.
 19. A rear entry ski boot as described in claim 18, wherein saidclamp is secured to said boot by a single, non-centered fastening means,said clamp being rotatable about said fastening means between acable-engaging position and a cable-release position, whereby a cableengaging channel is formed between said boot and said clamp, when saidclamp is rotated to the cable-engaging position and said cable engagingchannel is opened when said clamp is rotated to said cable-releaseposition, said buckle adapted to releasably engage said cable, and todraw said boot into the locked and closed position.
 20. A ski bootadapted to receive an interchangeable rear tongue member, which tonguemember further serves as a closure for the boot, said boot comprising: asole; a vamp attached to said sole and including a rear openingextending contiguous to the floor of said vamp, said vamp having twoside flaps defining said rear opening; a tongue member adapted to fillsaid rear opening, said tongue member having two sides adapted tocooperate with and be disposed substantially within said vamp when saidtongue member is in a closed position; said boot further having meansfor pivoting said tongue member relative to said boot, said pivotingmeans being disposed contiguous to the lower end of said tongue member;and, said boot having securing means for releaseably securing saidtongue member in a closed position in said boot whereby said sides ofsaid tongue member are disposed within said side flAps and cooperatewith said vamp to enclose said boot about the foot of a wearer.
 21. Aski boot as described in claim 20, wherein said securing means comprisesan annular cable, a clamp and a buckle.
 22. A ski boot as described inclaim 21, wherein said clamp is secured to said boot by a single,non-centered fastening means, said clamp being rotatable about saidfastening means between a cable-engaging position and a cable-releaseposition, whereby a cable engaging channel is formed between said bootand said clamp, when said clamp is rotated to the cable-engagingposition and said cable engaging channel is opened when said clamp isrotated to said cable-release position, said buckle adapted toreleasably engage said cable, and to draw said boot into the locked andclosed position.
 23. A ski boot adapted to receive a removable tonguemember, said boot comprising: a sole; a vamp attached to said sole andincluding a rear opening extending contiguous to the floor of said vamp;a tongue member having a boot engaging extension member located at thelowermost portion of said tongue member; said boot including a receivingmeans located contiguous to the lowermost portion of said rear openingand adapted to receive said extension member of said tongue whereby saidtongue member is releaseably secured to said boot.
 24. A ski boot inaccordance with claim 23, wherein said receiving means is a slot means.25. A ski boot in accordance with claim 23, wherein said tongue memberis pivotally attached to said boot and said boot further includessecuring means adapted to secure said tongue in a closed position tosubstantially fill said rear opening.
 26. A ski boot in accordance withclaim 25, wherein said securing means includes an annular cable, a clampand a buckle.
 27. A rear entry ski boot as described in claim 26,wherein said clamp is secured to said boot by a single, non-centeredfastening means, said clamp being rotatable about said fastening meansbetween a cable-engaging position and a cable-release position, wherebya cable engaging channel is formed between said boot and said clamp,when said clamp is rotated to the cable-engaging position and said cableengaging channel is opened when said clamp is rotated to saidcable-release position, said buckle adapted to releasably engage saidcable, and to draw said boot into the locked and closed position.